By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness
December 1, 2021
Sunglasses aren’t just for summer. And they aren’t just for sunny days.
A lot of people only wear sunglasses to block the sun’s glare so they don’t have to squint. The more important reason to wear them is to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that damage your eyes. This damage is cumulative and can lead to the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Well, guess what?
Just because it isn’t sunny outside, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any UV rays beaming down on you. A thin cloud cover still allows most UV rays to get through. And those fluffy white clouds? They deflect the sun’s rays and can actually increase the UV radiation on the earth’s surface.
And then we always hear about how the sun is weaker in the northern states during the winter. So maybe you think you don’t need sunglasses in the wintertime months. But again, that doesn’t mean there aren’t UV rays you need to be protected from.
In winter, reflection off of the snow can nearly double UV strength. That’s why we so often see cases of snow blindness in snowy regions. It’s like a sunburn on your eyes caused by too much UV exposure – mostly due to UV reflection off the snow.
Additionally, higher altitudes increase UV radiation by about 2% for every 1000-foot increase in elevation. Because of the extra damage it causes, we tend to see higher rates of cataracts in high-altitude regions compared to those of lower altitude.
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And beware! Some medications can increase light sensitivity of your eyes. Certain antihistamines, NSAIDs, tranquilizers, antibiotics, antidepressants and anti-diabetic drugs increase photosensitivity. If you are taking these types of meds, you need to pay extra attention to your eye health.
Ultimately, no matter who you are or where you live, exposure to bright sunlight and UV reflection from the snow or ocean can damage the retina, lead to cataracts or AMD, and worsen macular degeneration if you already have it.
So yes! It’s important to wear your sunglasses year-round.
Need Sunglasses? Bigger is Better.
Don’t just buy sunglasses that have the darkest tint. If they aren’t UV rate rated, they won’t do anything to block damaging UV rays. They’ll just keep you from squinting.
For true protections, your sun glasses absolutely need have a high UV rating. You want ones with a label that says “100% protection against both UVA and UVB” or “100% protection against UV 400.” These are the only sunglasses that will protect your eyes from the UV damage that promotes cataracts and AMD.
Try to avoid tiny sunglass trends and go big. Oversized styles will offer greater protection for all of those rays that coming in from above, below and the sides.
While they can’t fully protect you from cataracts or AMD, they can certainly cut your risk. For example, wearing sunglasses has been shown to reduce the chance of getting cataracts by nearly 60%.
It’s Not Just the UV Rays
UV rays aren’t the only thing that places wear and tear on your eyes during the winter. If you live in colder regions, dry eyes can plague you during the winter months.
Outdoors you’ve got cold, bitter winds whipping around your face. Indoors dry, hot air is blasting out of the heating vents. The air is already less humid in the winter, so all this does is aggravate your eyes.
The time you spend on your computer and other devices can leave your eyes feeling dry, gritty, blurry and irritated too.
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I protect my eyes at work with a blue blocker. These are regular glasses that have the lenses that block blue light. I also keep a bottle of artificial tears on hand, because my eyes tend to get dry while staring at the screen.
And that’s the key to defeating dry eyes – moisture. Drink plenty of fluids and, if possible, add a humidifier to your home. Use artificial tears if necessary.
Additionally, make sure you’re getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids to replenish the oils that soothe and moisten your eyes. These healthy fats can go a long way in preventing dry, irritated eyes. They also help protect against AMD.
You can get your omega-3s by eating at least two servings of cold-water fish each week. Some of your best choices include wild-caught Pacific halibut, mackerel, Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring, rainbow trout and flounder.
If you aren’t a fish lover, you can always take a high-quality fish oil supplement.
For additional support against macular degeneration and cataracts I also recommend three essential eye nutrients; lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin.
Your macula is comprised almost entirely of these three carotenoids. Over time, if you’re not getting enough of them, this critical part of your eye begins to thin and degenerate.
So in addition to taking getting your omega-3s, I suggest looking for an eye formula that contains at least 12 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin and taking it daily.
Remember, the time to start protecting your eyes is now, not after you start experiencing vision problems.
SOURCES:
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A Guide to the UV Index. United States Environmental Protection Agency. May 2004.
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Augood C, Chakravarthy U, Young I, Vioque J, de Jong PT, Bentham G, Rahu M, Seland J, Soubrane G, Tomazzoli L, Topouzis F, Vingerling JR, Fletcher AE. Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Aug;88(2):398-406.
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